Press Release
CSS Applauds Passage of Clean Slate Act in the State Legislature
The Community Service Society of New York (CSS) applauds the New York State Assembly and Senate for passing legislation that will provide relief to millions of New Yorkers who face reentry barriers because of past conviction records.
The perpetual punishment of stale criminal records has always fallen more harshly on communities of color, perpetuating the racial wage gap and generational poverty. Clean Slate will free millions of New Yorkers from this burden and unleash their economic potential, improving their lives and their communities. Though the final legislation leaves much undone, it is a victory years in the making, and we use this moment of celebration to recommit ourselves to the work to come.
The Community Service Society thanks Senator Zellnor Myrie, prime sponsor of S.7551A, and Assemblymember Catalina Cruz, prime sponsor of A.1029C, as well as members of the State Senate and State Assembly for passing this critically important piece of legislation. We now urge Governor Hochul to sign the legislation and send a strong message that New Yorkers who paid their debt to society have the right to fully participate in the economy and civic life.